Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-24
PRUSSIA AND THE POPE.
THE OBERHAUS ADDRESSED BY
PRINCE BISMARCK.

Opening of the Discussion of the Ecole-
slsStioal Rill the Occasion of the
Speech-The Establishment of Reli-
gtous Peace Not Claimed as Certain
to Follow the Measures Adoption,
BERLIN, March 23-The Ooerhaus to-
DAY In plenary session began discussion
of the ecclesiastical bill. Prince Bis
marck made long speech In defense OF
the measure. He said that as regarding
the question OF religious orders the chief
point to be determined was whether
Catholic citizens needed orders. 1t was
certain that Catholics believed IN the
value OF orders, aud their seutiments
| should be satisfied in harmony with the
legislation of the country. The State
naturally had an interest in the good
training of priests, such training they
could acquire as we'll at semlnaries as at
university. The bitterest enemies of
the government came from the universi-
ties and not from the seminaries..
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENTS.
Referring next to the law requiring
eccleslasts to give notice to the State of
appointments, Prince Bismarck declared
tnat he had not attached special import
ance to this provision, especially in view
! years had exercised their functions under
the very eyes of the government changed
| their disposition as soon as they became
bishops. The government. had not made
too large concessions to the Catholics,
nor had it given up any of it's sovereign
| rights. He had never desired a lasting
| struggle with the Curia.
PREDICTED LONG AGO.
AS early as 1875 he had called Cardinal
AntonillPs attention to the danger pre-
sented by, formation OF a
special Catholic political party,
and ever since the Curia had mani
tested a peaceful disposition. He had
prepared programme of peace, to real
ize which he had now worked for ten
years. Through the proposals before the
House he hoped to obtain lasting peace.
Ii that expectation should 4 not
be fulfilled the measures now
proposed could easily be rescinded.
1t was necessary that the Centre party,
whicn entered into relations with all the
elements that were hostile to State and
empire, be deprived Of all pretext for op-
position. 1t was out Of regard for the
unity of the nation and because OF the
dangers threatening that unity that he in
itiated the present ecclesiastcaI bill,
dong so with full recognition of his
responsibility.
THE EFFECT IN DOUBT.
Whether or not the bill would lead to
the establishment of religious peace could
not yet be known, as the leadere of the
Centre had placed themselves in Oppo-
siJion to the Pope. NO less dangerous
than the progressists were the subversiVe
tendencies of the lower clergy, in whose
removal the Pope and Emperor have an
equal interest. If the Pontiff and Empe-
r0r were as one the opposition OF Herr
Windthorst and the Centre would have
DO further significance. In conclusion he
urged the whole House to adopt the bill
with the commissions amendment. Min
lister Won Gossler then spoke, after which
the House adjourned.
BISHOP KOPP's INTRODUCTORY.
Bishop Kopp, who preceded Prince Bis
marck in the debate on the ecclesiastical
bill, made a conciliatOry speech. He
said: ave thank chiefly our aged mon
arch for having, in conjunction with the
head OF our church, entered path en-
abling prosperous connection of the
church and state to exist. Wealso thank
the government for its concessions in the
bill before US. They are valuable. We
Catholics say so and the Holy See Judges
them as SUCH" He concluded with a de-
tense OF the Catholic orders, which he de-
clared were organic Institutions OF the
church and undeserving OF the attacks
made upon them. He hoped that the
church and government would arrive at
an understanding on the subject.
PEACE ASSURED.
The Kaisar's expressions of his belief
in the maintenance OF peace are every
where the subject of comment. At Prince
Bismarck's dinner it was common topic
OF conversation. The general opinion is
that the crisis is over and that period
of quiet is commencing. Prince Bis
marck said to Foreign Minister: 81 re-
joice on account of the EmperOr's
happy anniversary and especially
that the political horizon is now
being cleared. IU is reported that the
Grand Duke Vladimir told the Emperor
that the Gar had authorized him TO de-
clare that he would continue to do all in
his power to maintain the traditional
policy of Russia, namely, perfect under.
standing with Germany. FlOurens, the
French Minister Of Foreign Affairs, in
the name OF President Grevy and the
French government, sent the Emperor
nOn N a